- Updated on: July 23, 2022
- by Ernie
To the unsolicited, Hajime no Ippo is “that anime with the burly boxer guy”. But to loyal fans, it’s shonen at its best. It’s heartwarming, yet it doesn’t shy away from intense action.
While the theme is not supernatural, in other words, there are no overpowered characters capable of destroying entire planets with their fingers; there is beauty to the simplicity of Hajime No Ippo.
Table of Contents
While there is a healthy amount of dramatization, the characters draw their strength from the only source they can; their own mortal bodies. If you’re not a fan of boxing, then do not worry; the story will capture you in such a way that you’ll end up loving it or at least the boxing in this anime
The characters are very well written. The animation is intricate and graphic, qualities which are definitely helpful for action sequences.
Our story follows Ippo Makunouchi, a young lad who just minds his own business and gets bullied. He tries to fight back and is unsuccessful. However, his life changes when the professional boxer, Takamura, catches his eye and brings him to the gym to heal him. And therefore, Ippo Makunouchi decides to become a boxer.
While most of the plot focuses on Ippo’s point of view, it doesn’t shy away from showing other perspectives.
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How To Watch Hajime No Ippo?
Table of Content
Hajime No Ippo Quick Watch Order Guide
(Release Order)
I. TV series
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- Season 1: Hajime no Ippo (2000-2002)
- Season 2: New Challenger (2009)
- Season 3: Rising (2013−2014)
II. Specials
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- Hajime no Ippo: Boxer no Kobushi (2003)
- Hajime no Ippo: Champion Road (2003)
III. OVAs
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- Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs. Kimura (2003)
TV SERIES
Season 1: Hajime No Ippo (2000-2002)
Anime Storyline:
Ippo Makunouchi, a timid high school student, has a hard time making friends. Mostly because he spends most of his time helping his mother run their family chartering business. He’s constantly bullied by a group of boys led by Umezawa. While in the middle of a severe beating, Mamoru Takamura, a professional middleweight boxer, rescues him and takes the injured Ippo to the Kamogawa Gym. Takamura encourages Ippo to vent his frustration through boxing and subsequently realizes that he has a natural talent for boxing.
Ippo expresses his desire to become a boxer. However, Takamura thinks that he’s taking professional boxing too lightly and hasn’t thought it through. Instead of refusing him outright, Takamura decides to give him a challenge. He challenges Ippo to catch 10 leaves before they fall from the tree simultaneously after only a week of training. After giving such a hard challenge, fully convinced that Ippo would fail, Takamura jogs away as he continues his roadwork.
Ippo, however, doesn’t give up. He trains for a whole week, even at night, and finally manages to pull off the technique. He waits for a jogging Takamura and performs the method. An impressed Takamura informs Ippo that the action used in catching all the 10 leaves is called a “Jab” in boxing.
Takamura invites our MC back to the boxing gym. However, this isn’t the last of Ippo’s hurdles as the gym coach, Genji Kamogawa, feels a lack of fighting spirit. Takamura challenges him by having Ippo spar with one of the gym members. He chooses the most formidable opponent for him, Miyata, the same age as Ippo but a boxing prodigy and Kamogawa’s star pupil.
Of course, Ippo loses by KO, as Miyata is far more skilled and experienced. However, Ippo throws in a few punches that Miyata has a hard time dodging until he uses his special move: “The Counter”. Coach Kamogawa soon comes to the conclusion that Ippo has the will and the drive to reach the top, and he’ll do everything in his power to become the Japanese Champion with a world ranking. While Miyata trains to become the OPBF (which is the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation) Champion. Both are expected to become high-ranking fighters and eventually face each other to finally decide who’s the better boxer.
The plot has a heavy emphasis on the character development of each fighter, especially during the boxing matches. Each character’s back story is explored. Ippo, who meets his opponents before the game gives us a chance to look at the background of each fighter and what drives them to fight. Even though they are opponents, we can sympathize with them.
Ippo’s friendly rivalry with Miyata is the central aspect of the early part of the series.
Season 2: New Challenger (2009)
Anime Storyline:
Ippo Makunouchi, now a champion of the Japanese Featherweight Division, has fought hard to retain his title. While this was happening, his adversary, Ichirou Miyata, returns to Japan and is now aiming for the much-coveted Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation.
Japan’s best fighters are now in the spotlight and they’ll have to grind extra hard if they want to reach the highest ranks, their opponents being the rest of the world.
Unlike most sequels, season 2 of this anime manages to maintain character development. And not just Ippo, season 2 goes more in-depth with the other characters. There are even entire episodes dedicated to them. Takamura, especially, gets a lot of limelight in this season.
I must say Takamura vs. Brian Hawk was my favorite fight of the season. Brian Hawk plays the antagonist perfectly. There are significant improvements in the production quality compared to the last season. The movement and animation seem more fluid, and the music is excellent, just like the previous season.
Season 3: Rising (2013-2014)
Anime Storyline:
Season 3 continues Ippo’s journey on becoming stronger, the Featherweight Division Champion Makunouchi Ippo, with his great skills, has managed to defend the coveted title once again. All of this, he was able to achieve with his sensational and almost unbeatable move at this point, the infamous, Dempsey Role!
But there are always new challenges when combat sports are concerned. There is a counter-attack for every attack, a move that’s better than every last move, and a dodge that can prevent every strike. Can Ippo adapt to the times? Or will the one thing that makes every champion vulnerable claim him; his pride.
In the meantime, Aoki Masaru is rising up through the ranks. He’s just a few fights away from winning a belt of his own and becoming a champion, and eventually challenging Ippo himself!
But it’s not just Aoki that has big things happening. Takamura Mamoru has returned to claim his dream: the WBC champion of the world and eventually conquering every weight class, which will make him the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. But this is no easy task. Many have tried and failed; will Takamura be an exception?
Takamura must face David Eagle from America, who is not as much of a scum as Brian Hawk, but a better boxer nonetheless.
Watching Takamura fight someone whom he respects is a very different experience compared to season 2. But Takamura has improved a lot since we last saw him. The question is, will it be enough?
SPECIALS
Hajime no Ippo: Boxer no Kobushi (2003)
Anime Storyline:
This special follows Takamura’s past. What drove him to boxing is what made him stay. While it may not be a flashy special, it’s got a wholesome vibe to it. This is primarily a fan favorite with people who like Takamura.
The story does a deep dive into Takamura’s relationship with his coach. We get to see an in-depth look into the character and his personality. The sense of humor throughout the special is on point, evident because it’s a special on Takamura.
While it’s technically not “canon,.” I’ll recommend this special to every Hajime No Ippo fan out there.
Hajime No Ippo: Champion Road (2003)
Anime Storyline:
This special follows the story after our beloved challenger Ippo has become the champion and won Japan’s featherweight champion belt.
Ippo finds himself content with his friends and his coach, who believes in him more than ever. And if that wasn’t enough, poor Ippo also realizes that his crush, Kumi, loves to be in his company. However, his next opponent may challenge him as no other opponent could.
Kazuki Sanada, who works in the same hospital as Kumi, is a wise fighter. He has a detailed knowledge of the human body which he applies in his boxing. He also seems to have garnered the support of the nurses.
Ippo finds himself fighting not just for his title but also for his crush.
OVAs
Hajime No Ippo: Mashiba vs. Kimura (2003)
Anime Storyline:
When his compatriots Ippo Makunouchi and Mamoru Takamura become champions and have a great time in their respective careers, Tatsuya Kimura becomes envious.
He is just devastated by the fact that even after putting in so much effort, why isn’t he Japan’s Junior Lightweight champion. So rather than giving up, he decides to train with Ippo’s rival Ichirou Miyata when the match between him and the current champion is announced. Miyata, who has experience fighting with Mashiba and is also a victim of his signature “Hitman” boxing style, may just be the only person who can help him.
Meanwhile, Mashiba must face this challenge, not just for him but for his sister Kumi’s financial stability. Will Kumira’s motivation to prove his boxing strength trumpsto over Mashiba’s need to protect his sister?
Chronological Watch Order
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- Season 1: Hajime no Ippo
- Special: Hajime no Ippo: Boxer no Kobushi
- Special: Hajime no Ippo: Champion Road
- OVA: Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs. Kimura
- Season 2: Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger
- Season 3: Hajime no Ippo: Rising
What Other Anime Do You Think Is As Good As Hajime no Ippo? Let Us Know!
I would strongly recommend watching Hajime no Ippo in chronological order. Also, I urge you not to skip any OVA or Special.
In my opinion, there are no fillers where this anime is concerned. Every match, every opponent is an integral part of the character development of the cast.
